For these boys a fag was a failed, feminine man who, in all likelihood, was also gay. Thus the term 'gay' functioned as a generic insult meaning 'stupid' or 'lame' whereas 'fag' invoked a very specific gendered slur, directed at other boys. For these boys gay men could still be masculine, whereas a fag could never be masculine. Boys at River High repeatedly differentiated fags from gay men.
I saw and heard boys imitate presumed faggots and hurl the fag epithet so frequently at one another that I came to call it a 'fag discourse.' I use the term fag and not gay, advisedly. I watched scenes like this play out daily while conducting research for my book Dude, You're a Fag: Masculinity and Sexuality in High School. To the boys Brian yelled, referring to Dan, 'Look at the faggot! Watch out! He'll get you!' In response, the 10 year olds screamed in terror and raced back down the hallway. He swung his hips exaggeratedly and wildly waved his arms on the end of which his hands hung from limp wrists. As the boys came into his view, Dan pursed his lips and began sashaying toward them. The group of boys dashed after Brian as he ran down the hallway, towards the presumed 'faggot.' Peering down the hallway I saw Brian's friend, Dan, waiting for the boys. 'There's a faggot over there! There's a faggot over there! Come look!' Brian, a senior at 'River' High School yelled to a group of 10 year-old boys.
